Depression Treatment Recommendations
If you have depression, your doctor may suggest psychotherapy and medication. Changes in lifestyle, education, and support from friends are also beneficial.
Psychotherapy includes several different kinds of sessions. Behavioral activation therapy, for example, helps you identify the connection between your mood and the activities you engage in. Psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships involves discussing relationships and your part in them.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or talk therapy is an essential treatment option for depression. It can help patients identify and change self defeating ways of thinking, irrational fear, and other problematic behaviors. Psychotherapy can help people with problems in their relationships, at school or at work. It can be used in conjunction with other treatments such as medication and exercise, or on its own.
The type of psychotherapy that one receives is based on a number of factors that include their depression level and their preferences. People with mild symptoms may benefit from psychotherapy, in addition to other lifestyle changes such getting enough sleep or reading self-help books or sites. They might also be able participate in a support group. Psychotherapy and antidepressant medications can help people with moderate to severe depression. In some instances the need for psychiatric treatment in a hospital may be required for people who are unable to take care of themselves or are having thoughts of harming themselves or others.
It is important to choose a therapist that you feel comfortable with. If you can, pick a therapist who has experience in treating depression and with whom you are at ease. You should also choose an appointment time that works for you to see your counselor. Make plans for traffic delays and other issues when you have to drive to your appointment. If you're worried about the cost of therapy, ask your physician whether you're eligible for a rebate through Medicare or another health insurance plan. Psychotherapy can be costly, but it's worth the investment in your mental health.
Medication
In the case of moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy may be combined with medication. This is particularly important for those with prior episodes, severe symptoms or thoughts of suicide. Medications used to treat depression include mood stabilisers or antidepressants. Sometimes, they can also be an antipsychotic medication.
Doctors may recommend "watchful wait" for mild depression. This involves monitoring patients while they continue receiving treatment such as psychotherapy or another. But if you're suffering from severe to moderate symptoms, medication is typically suggested as the main treatment.
Doctors will begin with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs are less risky and have fewer adverse effects than older antidepressants. Examples include citalopram (Celexa) as well as escitalopram (Lexapro) as well as fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac XR), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft). alternative depression treatment of antidepressants is the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), including duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Pristiq, Khedezla) and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq, Fetzima). In addition, there are tricyclic antidepressants that can be very effective but may cause more severe adverse reactions than the more recent medications. Examples of this group include imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepin (Surmontil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Psychological treatments, often referred to as talking therapies or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) -- are the best-studied treatment for depression. They help you identify and change negative thinking patterns and enhance your coping abilities. Other treatments for depression include psychotherapy for interpersonal relationships and several methods for counseling couples and families.
It may take a while for antidepressant medications to begin working. If you don't notice improvement after a few weeks it is essential to talk with your doctor. If you're not responding to a specific medication, your doctor might switch your prescription or add other medications to boost the antidepressant effects.
Exercise
Physical exercise is a great method to relieve depression symptoms and improve your mood. Try jogging, walking, gardening or swimming. Also make sure you get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol or recreational drugs as they can cause depression in the long run. Unlike medication and psychotherapy, exercising and sports are completely free and have no adverse effects. However, they might not be beneficial for everyone suffering from depression. Some people may even feel worse after exercising.
Other Lifestyle Changes
Depression can make you feel like you're trapped in a dark pit that has no exit. But even severe depression is manageable and can be cured by medication, therapy as well as self-help strategies for coping and lifestyle adjustments. People suffering from depression can benefit from all of these options and the techniques learned through treatment can help avoid recurrences in the future.
Stress reduction is one of the most important ways to help manage your depression. This includes finding ways to reduce and manage the amount of stress that you encounter in your own life, such as getting enough sleep, working out, and spending time around your family and friends who make you feel great. Making time to relax with meditation, yoga or other activities that focus on mindfulness can boost your mood and aid in getting better sleep.
If you're suffering from depression, it's also an excellent idea to stay away from drinking and taking drugs, especially those that cause a lot of sedation. This can help you feel better and stay on your medication. This is an essential aspect of treating depression. Antidepressants take a long time to take effect and can cause negative adverse effects. Adding other treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation exercises, or acupuncture can alleviate these adverse effects.
You might be able to locate a therapist to work with through word of mouth, or your primary care doctor or other health professionals can refer you to a therapist. If price is a concern Community mental health programs, senior centers, religious organizations, and other locations offer therapy on a sliding scale or even free. For severe depression you could test an experimental treatment known as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which utilizes a painless device to send regular magnetic pulses through your skull to boost brain cells that influence your mood.
Support Groups
Depression can be a lonely and depressing illness. While friends and family may offer support, they often do not have the depth of understanding that others with similar experiences can provide. This is where depression support groups can help. They are usually peer-led and meet regularly, whether in person or on the internet. They can be a valuable supplement to any treatment plan, and can make people feel less lonely in their battle with depression.
They are usually free to join, and you are likely to find them in your locality or online. They can be run by mental health professionals, community organizations or people who have experience with the disease. Some have a professional facilitator or moderator who helps guide the discussions. Although more research is needed to determine the long-term efficacy of depression support groups they do appear beneficial. They are also a good addition to psychotherapy.
These support groups provide the opportunity for those suffering from depression to share their experiences with others and offer each other support, comfort, and strategies for coping. They can be a valuable source for those struggling to maintain regular therapy sessions due to financial constraints or scheduling conflicts, among other factors. They are also beneficial for those whose symptoms aren't quite severe enough to warrant hospitalization or psychiatric treatment.
A search on the ADAA website will give you an array of depression support groups, both in person and online. It's important to find a support group that feels comfortable and safe for you, and it's usually best to test several groups before you settle on one. Some groups are synchronous, meeting weekly or biweekly in person or via video chat, while others are more informal and available at any time.
